Football New Rules for 2010 (or... the pussification of football) - Page 4

Ugly Duck · 08-06-2010, 10:27 PM

Bad news for rabid headhunter types launching themselves at offensive players:

Starting this year, it will be illegal to hit any ‘defenseless’ player if the initial force of the contact with a players’ helmet, shoulder or forearm is to the head or neck area. The following players are considered ‘defenseless’ and will be protected: A quarterback in the act of passing, a receiver in the act of making a catch, a kick/punt returner in the act of catching a kick/punt, a runner who is ‘in the grasp’ and who’s forward progress has been stopped, a player on the ground at the end of the play, a QB after a change of possession and a kicker/punter after the ball is kicked. Violations of the rule can result in a 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty and potential discipline by the league.

If a receiver has completed a catch and has not had time to protect himself, a defensive player is prohibited from launching into him in a way that causes the defensive players’ helmet, facemask, shoulder or forearm to forcibly strike the receiver in the head or neck area. A “launch” is defined as leaving your feet to spring forward and upward into an opponent. Hits such as these will result in a 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty and potential discipline by the league. If the receiver has the ball long enough to protect himself or the defender does not launch himself as part of the hit, it is not a foul.

After a valid fair catch signal, the opportunity to catch a kick does not end if the ball if muffed. The player who signaled for the fair catch must have a reasonable opportunity to catch the muffed kick before it hits the ground without interference from the kicking team players.

Each team must have the opportunity to posses the ball once in overtime. However, if the team that wins the coin toss scores a touchdown on their initial possession, the game is over. If the team that wins the coin toss scores a field goal on their initial possession, the game is not over. Their opponent much be given an opportunity to possess the ball. If the score remains tied after both teams have been given the opportunity to posses the ball, the game continues under normal ‘sudden death’ rules. (Postseason only)

The use of abusive, threatening or insulting language or gestures directed at an opponent or the opposing teams’ bench is considered taunting. This is a foul under NFL playing rules and a 15-yard penalty will be assessed for unsportsmanlike conduct.

NFL Officials Visit Redskins Park – New Rules for 2010 Explained

08-06-2010, 10:27 PM	Topic Starter
Ugly Duck MVP Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Petaluma, CA, USA Casino cash: $9955920	New Rules for 2010 (or... the pussification of football) Bad news for rabid headhunter types launching themselves at offensive players: Starting this year, it will be illegal to hit any ‘defenseless’ player if the initial force of the contact with a players’ helmet, shoulder or forearm is to the head or neck area. The following players are considered ‘defenseless’ and will be protected: A quarterback in the act of passing, a receiver in the act of making a catch, a kick/punt returner in the act of catching a kick/punt, a runner who is ‘in the grasp’ and who’s forward progress has been stopped, a player on the ground at the end of the play, a QB after a change of possession and a kicker/punter after the ball is kicked. Violations of the rule can result in a 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty and potential discipline by the league. If a receiver has completed a catch and has not had time to protect himself, a defensive player is prohibited from launching into him in a way that causes the defensive players’ helmet, facemask, shoulder or forearm to forcibly strike the receiver in the head or neck area. A “launch” is defined as leaving your feet to spring forward and upward into an opponent. Hits such as these will result in a 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty and potential discipline by the league. If the receiver has the ball long enough to protect himself or the defender does not launch himself as part of the hit, it is not a foul. After a valid fair catch signal, the opportunity to catch a kick does not end if the ball if muffed. The player who signaled for the fair catch must have a reasonable opportunity to catch the muffed kick before it hits the ground without interference from the kicking team players. Each team must have the opportunity to posses the ball once in overtime. However, if the team that wins the coin toss scores a touchdown on their initial possession, the game is over. If the team that wins the coin toss scores a field goal on their initial possession, the game is not over. Their opponent much be given an opportunity to possess the ball. If the score remains tied after both teams have been given the opportunity to posses the ball, the game continues under normal ‘sudden death’ rules. (Postseason only) The use of abusive, threatening or insulting language or gestures directed at an opponent or the opposing teams’ bench is considered taunting. This is a foul under NFL playing rules and a 15-yard penalty will be assessed for unsportsmanlike conduct. NFL Officials Visit Redskins Park – New Rules for 2010 Explained
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